Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has made headlines yet again—this time in the virtual world.
Barkley’s viral reverse hurdle, one he performed in a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, is now a featured animation in Madden NFL 25.
The move, dubbed the 'Spin Hurdle' by game developers, is an exclusive skill that only Barkley can perform in the game.
This addition highlights the impact of Barkley's incredible play, a moment already being heralded as one of the top contenders for Play of the Year in the 2024 NFL season.
The story behind the update.
EA Sports quickly embraced Barkley's jaw-dropping move, announcing its inclusion in the latest Madden NFL 25 update.
According to Madden game designer Spade, the development team was inspired by Barkley’s athleticism and worked tirelessly to bring this animation to life in under three weeks.
The new animation involved hours of motion capture and advanced animations, blending techniques from Madden's classic Superstar Mode and cutting-edge technology.
The result is a move that feels as dynamic and explosive in the game as it did on the field.
How to trigger the 'Spin Hurdle' in Madden NFL 25.
Players are eager to replicate this iconic play in Madden NFL 25 will need to meet specific in-game criteria:
- Who: Only Saquon Barkley can perform this move.
- How: The defender must approach Barkley at a 45-degree angle.
- Where: The defender must be close to Barkley.
- When: The user must press the hurdle button with precise timing.
This exclusive feature ensures that the move mirrors the precision and uniqueness of Barkley's real-life reverse hurdle.
Here's a pretty awesome clip of it being integrated with actual gameplay while showing its similarity to how we all saw it live on our televisions:
EA Sports has added @saquon's "backwards hurdle" to Madden 25.
— Eli Blumenthal (@eliblumenthal) November 20, 2024
Pretty quick turnaround from something that happened in Week 9. pic.twitter.com/ggCXOHJfXS
Barkley’s move: A moment your children's children's children will talk about.
Beyond Madden, Barkley's reverse hurdle has cemented itself as a cultural phenomenon.
Nike has even immortalized the play in a recent ad campaign, further solidifying its place in sports history.
The move not only showcases Barkley’s elite athleticism but also adds another layer to the growing legacy of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With its inclusion in Madden, this moment becomes accessible to millions of fans around the world.
Here's why this matters for not only the gaming industry and its consumers, but Eagles fans too.
The inclusion of Barkley’s move highlights Madden NFL 25’s commitment to capturing the most iconic moments from the NFL.
It joins other legendary animations, such as Patrick Mahomes’ diving throw, as one of the few player-specific features in the game.
For Eagles fans, this update is yet another reason to celebrate Barkley's standout season and adds excitement to one of the most immersive sports games on the market.
Final thoughts on a new feat for No. 26.
Saquon Barkley’s reverse hurdle is more than a viral play—it’s a defining moment of the 2024 NFL season.
Now immortalized in Madden NFL 25, fans can experience the excitement firsthand. Update your game today to unleash the "Spin Hurdle" and bring Barkley’s magic to the virtual gridiron.